Ren and her mother awoke at dawn; they had a lot of ground to cover before nightfall. Ren got up slowly, trying to draw out the short amount of time she had left. She didn't want to leave, but she felt like it was something she had to do. She was surprised to find Ame in the kitchen, casually sipping coffee from a mug. He smiled broadly when he saw her. Did he forget I was leaving today? she thought.

"What are you doing up so early?" Ren asked Ame.

"Getting ready to leave," he said, his eyes flashing playfully.

"To the forest?"

"No."

"To town?"

"Wrong again."

"Then where? Just tell me!"

Ame chuckled, clearly enjoying Ren's frustration. "I'm coming with you."

Ren fell silent, her mouth dropping open. "B-b-but I thought you had to...I mean you said-,"

"Shhhhhh," Ame said, jokingly pressing his fingers against her lips. Ren swatted him away, growling.

"Are you being serious?" Ren asked, regaining her composure.

"Yep," Ame replied.

"What about the forest?"

"Yuki's going to watch it while I'm gone."

"I don't even know what to say!"

"Then don't say anything."

Time seemed to pause as Ame took a long stride forward, closing the space between them. He leaned in close, electricity shooting up Ren's spine. He pulled Ren against his chest, and she melted into him. His fingers tangled in her silver mane as his lips met hers, his kisses feverous, burning with passion. She inhaled deeply, smelling coffee and leaves, his scent enfolding her in warmth. She kissed him back fiercely, like a wolf. Her hands moved urgently up and down his back, his arms, everywhere. Their embrace felt like it lasted longer than forever. Then it was over as quickly as it had began.

They stood facing each other, cheeks flushed, hair wildly disheveled. Ren's brazen confidence faded away and she turned away from Ame and studied the floor. Ame remained motionless, a pleased smile on his lips.

What just happened? Ren thought.What happened to just being friends? She couldn't deny that she had enjoyed every second of the embrace. She knew deep down that since she had first met Ame, she had been secretly hoping for a moment like this.

Ame's deep laughter cut into her anxious thoughts. He laughed and laughed, waves of sound resonating around her.

"What's so funny?" Ren asked hotly.

"You're incredibly good at kissing," Ame managed to say.

"Why's that funny?" Ren retorted. His comment pleased her, but she didn't let him know that. Ame didn't reply, still doubled over with laughter. Ren shot him a strange look, but soon she was laughing too.

"Ready, Ren?" Ren's mother said as she walked into the kitchen. Ame and Ren stopped laughing, and the mood grew serious. "We need to leave now."

"Ame's coming too," Ren said. Ame took her hand and held it tightly.

"I already told you he could. But don't expect me to feed him," her mother snapped, using a moody tone Ren had grown accustomed to. Her tone brought back many memories- the cruel things her mother had said to her during depressed fits of lunacy, the pain she had wrongly put Ren through, the blame she had placed on Ren to account for her father's desertion. A mountain of resentment towards her mother that had been building for years threatened to topple over, but Ren pushed the negative feelings deep inside. That was what this journey was about. Second-chances. Redemption. New memories to replace the bad ones. She had to face her mother with an open-heart, otherwise, Ren was just wasting her time.

"I can feed myself," Ame said coldly. He had always been a lone wolf. Dealing with her mother and potential others was going to be quite the experience for him. Ren gave his hand a quick squeeze, as if to say, "relax, I'm here."

Ren's mother walked towards the door without another word.

"Should we say goodbye?" Ren wondered.

"Let them sleep," her mother said.

They left the house quietly and stepped outside. Ren welcomed the warm sun on her skin and the smell of moist earth around them. Nature always soothed Ren. They each changed into wolves, their bare skin quickly covered in fur and their bodies invigorated with seemingly endless energy.

"Follow me," Ren's mother said, running into the forest. Ame and Ren sprinted behind her, their steps barely making a sound. Ren glanced at Ame, beyond grateful that he had chosen to come with her. Whatever lay ahead, she knew she could face it with Ame at her side.

As they continued to run through the dense trees, Ren began to doubt some of her earlier thoughts. Was it naive to believe that a trip could change the relationship she had with her mother? Did her mother even deserve Ren's second-chance? Why did Ren continue to put up with her abuse? She tried to shake the thoughts away.

Sensing her discomfort, Ame gave her an encouraging nod. Ren tried to focus on the forest she had grown to love instead, but in the back of her mind, she couldn't silence the nervous questions. Her mother still ran ahead, appearing to not have a care in the world. Distract yourself! Think about anything else! Ren screamed to herself. Her mind flashed to their kiss, and she was thankful that wolves couldn't blush. Mission accomplished, she chuckled to herself.

They pressed onward, the day still stretching before them.


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